THE head of a collapsed trucking company who allegedly fleeced more than $30 million from the Commonwealth Bank has strong links to the Comancheros outlaw bikie gang, a court has heard.
Police allege members of the bikie gang besieged liquidators who had tried to execute a warrant and seize property from a Laverton premises after the collapse of the Viking Group of companies in 2011.
Former Viking head Steve Iliopoulos, 52, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ court today charged with three counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception totalling more than $30 million.
He has also been charged with attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception after he allegedly tried to con the Westpac bank out of $53 million.
The court heard the Viking group was made up of more than 20 companies that operated a number of heavy haulage, transport and service businesses before it collapsed in 2011.
Police allege Mr Iliopoulos first used false documentation in October 2009 to secure a loan of $12.15 million before obtaining further lending for $17.4 million and $4 million the following year.
It was also alleged that between September 2009 and April 2011 Mr Iliopoulos submitted 50 offer statements bearing false invoice information and received an extra $30 million.
Daniel Porceddu, for Mr Iliopoulos, told the bail hearing his client would vigorously defend the charges and rejected prosecution suggestions he posed a significant flight risk.
Mr Porceddu said suggestion that Mr Iliopoulos had ways to flee Australia were “pure speculation” as were suggestions his links to the Commancheros could help him get a false passport.
Refusing bail, magistrate Peter Reardon said the Crown had indicated it had a strong case that may be an incentive for Mr Iliopoulos to not return to court to face the charges.
Mr Iliopoulos was remanded to reappear for a committal mention in July.
Shannon.deery@news.com.au
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